| The price of a gallon of gasoline and current economic | | | | hour on level streets. The battery cannot provide more |
| conditions, have forced many people to consider | | | | than 750 watts of power to the motor. Individual states |
| alternate forms of transportation. One alternative is the | | | | have mandated other requirements such as a license, |
| electric bike. An electric bike is simply a standard | | | | registration and insurance and limited the age of |
| bicycle with a motor attached and powered by a | | | | cyclists. Some states such as Florida also require |
| battery. The benefits such as environmental are worth | | | | headlights and taillights to be mounted on the bicycle. |
| the research necessary to conform to the safety and | | | | Other countries have been more receptive to the |
| legal requirements in the area of operation. Legal and | | | | electric bike especially those in which the bicycle is the |
| safety requirements vary by state and country and | | | | primary source of transportation. Most other countries |
| some have not yet addressed the electric bicycle in | | | | have defined an electric bicycle in the same was as |
| their laws. | | | | the United States. The electric bicycle cannot be |
| Safety requirements are necessary for the safety of | | | | powered with a battery over 750 watts and the |
| the cyclist and the motorist. Some such as a helmet | | | | maximum speed is 20 to 30 miles per hour. |
| are not a requirement but should be worn to protect | | | | For instance, in the UK, the electric bike is considered |
| the head from injury in a crash. Riding a bicycle on the | | | | to be a standard bicycle if it does not exceed 40 kg in |
| sidewalk is prohibited in some areas but it should be in | | | | weight with the battery. It cannot exceed 25 k or 15.5 |
| all areas. At intersections, motorists are not looking for | | | | miles per hour and its battery cannot provide more |
| a bicycle approaching from a sidewalk and may not | | | | than 250 watts of power. It must have operating |
| see it in time to avoid a crash. The main safety | | | | pedals and teens under 14 cannot ride a motorized |
| requirement for electric bikes is to obey the same | | | | bike. |
| traffic laws as automobiles. This means that the cyclist | | | | Most other countries have restrictions tailored to the |
| must be able to see traffic signals and signs. It is very | | | | definition of an electric bike mainly due to the wide |
| unsafe to ride against the traffic and does not aid in | | | | variety of them. Some countries prohibit the |
| visibility. | | | | conversion of a standard bike to an electric one by |
| Legal requirements also depend on the country and | | | | use of the kits. The best option is to be sure of the |
| state in which the electric bike is operated. In the United | | | | legal and safety requirements in the area of the |
| States, an electric bike must not exceed 20 miles per | | | | operation of the electric bike. |